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e-cwip
interactive apostolic ministry training

Class 201—Leadership in the New Testament Church, 1

Session 4: God’s call on leaders

He chose David His servant and took him from the sheep pens; from
tending the sheep He brought him to be the shepherd of His people
Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he
lead them.

Psalm 78:70-72

Course Outline:

o How leadership works in the church

o God’s call on leaders (God chose David)
o God’s preparation of leaders (from the sheep pens) pasture, pen, prison
o The progression of leaders (from tending sheep He brought him to be the shepherd)
o The heart qualities of leaders (servant, shepherd, integrity)
o The functions & duties of leaders (shepherd, lead)
o The skills of leaders

Understanding our Call to Ministry

Your Call: For God to know and you to find out

I press to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me. Brothers, I do not
consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind
and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 2:12-14

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk . . . be filled with the Spirit. Eph
5:15-17

The origin of our call—God’s sovereign choice: (Your call is not your call)

1. Calling can be revealed to people in any stage in life.

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2. Calling can come to people in any spiritual state:

3. Calling can come to people regardless of their personal achievements or

character

4. Calling can come to people in spite of their objections

5. All callings require an encounter with God

The method of our call:

1. Inner witness

2. Mediated by parents

3. Identification by a 5-fold ministry

4. God’s revelatory acts

The clarification of our call

1. Clarification comes through preparation

2. Clarification comes through open and shut windows of opportunity

3. Clarification comes through fruitfulness

4. Clarification comes through additional revelation

Our response to the call: “Go in the strength that you have”

1. Sacrifice

2. Serve

3. Sanctify